Toughened Polylactic Acid Polymers and Copolymers

ABSTRACT

Toughened compositions of PLA and PLA copolymers are disclosed, which also have low tensile modulus values and greater elongation to break. These toughened compositions are prepared by blending PLA and PLA copolymers with poly- 4 -hydroxybutyrate, and copolymers thereof. Blending of poly- 4 -hydroxybutyrate with PLA and its copolymers has been found to impart advantageous properties to the resulting blend. These compositions, and objects formed from these compositions, have improved toughness and lower stiffness than polylactic acid polymers or copolymers alone.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority of U.S. Ser. No. 60/747,144 filed May 12, 2006, U.S. Ser No. 60/765,840, filed Feb. 7, 2006, and U.S. Ser. No. 60/765,808 filed Feb. 7, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to polymeric compositions that can be processed into various extruded as well as molded forms, including fibers, tubes, films, nonwovens, injection molded or thermoformed components, which products have substantially uniform physical properties, and physical and thermo-mechanical integrity. The compositions comprise polylactic acid polymers or copolymers and polymers or copolymers comprising 4-hydroxybutyrate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Polylactic acid (PLA) is an aliphatic polyester that can be prepared, for example, by direct condensation of lactic acid, azeotropic dehydrative condensation, and by ring-opening polymerization of lactide. In the latter case, the product is sometimes referred to as polylactide. The relative proportions of the optically active enantiomers, D- and L-lactic acids, which are incorporated into the polymer, determine the specific properties of PLA. Varying the enantiomer proportions can result in polymer compositions that are amorphous or up to about 40% crystalline, with glass transition temperatures (Tg) ranging from about 50° C. to 80° C., and melting points (Tm) ranging from about 130° C. to 180° C.

Elongation to break of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is, however, typically just several percent. The polymer has a glass transition temperature well above room temperature, and therefore shaped objects of PLLA tend to be brittle and glassy at room temperature. Several methods have been used to increase the elongation at break of PLLA. Melt processing of the polymer, followed by orientation at temperatures above the glass transition temperature, can result in shaped objects with somewhat improved elongation to break. However, these objects are generally stiff due to the relatively high tensile modulus of the polymer.

Incorporation of D-lactic acid in combination with orientation can yield further improvement. For example, incorporation of D-lactic acid at a level of 2% in an oriented film increases the elongation at break to 5-10%. The latter may be further increased to 78-97% with incorporation of about 6% D-lactic acid. Orientation and incorporation of D-lactic acid has also been used to improve the toughness of fibers of PLA. Melt extruded fibers of PLA with elongation to break of 50%-60% are commercially available under the trade name of Ingeo™ PLA (Cargill, Minn.). The modulus of these objects is however still relatively high.

Polymer scientists have also investigated blends of PLA with other polymers and additives to improve PLA properties, for example, to improve toughness and decrease the stiffness. For example, blends of PLA with other PLAs and copolymers, polycaprolactone, poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV), poly-R-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), poly-R,S-3-hydroxybutyrate, poly-3-hydroxyoctanoate, poly(hexamethylenesuccinate), poly(butylene succinate), poly(ethylene/butylene succinate), poly(ethylene oxide), poly(phosphazene), poly(sebacic anhydride), poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(vinyl acetate) have all been reported (Tsuji, H., Polyesters, III, 4:129-177 (2002)). Blends of PLA comprising multiple components have also been reported. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,467 to Wnuk et al. discloses blends comprising PLA, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and polyurethane or polycaprolactone. These approaches have met with varying levels of success because many polymers are immiscible when blended, creating undesirable phase separation during processing, and/or such blends exhibit poor mechanical properties. These difficulties are exacerbated in the processing of fibers and films, where processing time is often much shorter.

It would therefore be desirable to identify polymers that could be blended with PLA and its copolymers, which provide a blend with improved toughness and lower stiffness.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide toughened blends of PLA and its copolymers.

It is another object of this invention to provide blends of PLA and its copolymers with lower stiffness values.

It is still yet another object of this invention to provide blends of PLA and its copolymers with increased elongation to break.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide blends of PLA and its copolymers that can be processed into shaped objects, such as fibers, films, molded items, and nonwovens.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Toughened compositions of PLA and PLA copolymers are disclosed, which also have low tensile modulus values and greater elongation to break. These toughened compositions are prepared by blending PLA and PLA copolymers with poly-4-hydroxybutyrate, and copolymers thereof. Blending of poly-4-hydroxybutyrate with PLA and its copolymers has been found to impart advantageous properties to the resulting blend. These compositions, and objects formed from these compositions, have improved toughness and lower stiffness than polylactic acid polymers or copolymers alone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the chemical structure of poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB, TephaFLEX® biomaterial).

FIG. 2 shows some of the known biosynthetic pathways for the production of P4HB. Pathway enzymes are: 1. Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase; 2. 4-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase; 3. diol oxidoreductase; 4. aldehyde dehydrogenase; 5. Coenzyme A transferase and 6. PHA synthetase.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Toughened blends comprising PLA and its copolymers have been developed that have improved properties.

I. Definitions

“Poly-4-hydroxybutyrate” as generally used herein means a homopolymer comprising 4-hydroxybutyrate units. It may be referred to herein as P4HB or TephalFLEX® biomaterial (manufactured by Tepha, Inc., Cambridge, Mass.).

“Copolymers of poly-4-hydroxybutyrate” as generally used herein means any polymer comprising 4-hydroxybutyrate with one or more different hydroxy acid units.

“Blend” as generally used herein means a physical combination of different polymers, as opposed to a copolymer comprised of two or more different monomers which are linked by polymerization.

“Toughness” means a property of a material by virtue of which it can absorb energy; the actual work per unit volume or unit mass of material that is required to rupture it. Toughness is usually proportional to the area under the load-elongation curve such as the tensile stress-strain curve. (Rosato's Plastics Encyclopedia and Dictionary, Oxford Univ. Press, 1993.)

“Stiffness” means a property of the material to resist a change in shape. For fibers, this is typically measured as the tensile modulus or Young's modulus and is the initial slope of the stress strain curve. For other shaped articles, like molded goods, the stiffness could relate to the ability of the material to resist bending.

“Elongation” or extensibility of a material means the amount of increase in length resulting from, as an example, the tension to break a specimen. It is expressed usually as a percentage of the original length. (Rosato's Plastics Encyclopedia and Dictionary, Oxford Univ. Press, 1993.)

“PLA” as used herein refers to a polymer comprising a lactic acid monomer unit. The polymer may be referred to as polylactic acid or polylactide. It may be a homopolymer or copolymer. The lactic acid repeating units can be L-lactic acid, D-lactic acid, or D,L-lactic acid. Copolymers may also comprise monomeric units other than lactic acid, such as, but not limited to, glycolic acid.

“Molecular weight” as used herein, unless otherwise specified, refers to the weight average molecular weight (Mw) as opposed to the number average molecular weight (Mn).

“Absorbable” as generally used herein means the material is broken down in the body and eventually eliminated from the body.

“Biocompatible” as generally used herein means the biological response to the material or device being appropriate for the device's intended application in vivo. Any metabolites of these materials should also be biocompatible.

“Compostable” as generally used herein means the ability of the material to undergo physical, chemical, thermal, and/or biological degradation in a municipal solid waste composting facility such that the material will break down into, or otherwise become part of, usable finished compost.

II. Polymeric Compositions

A. PLA Polymers

The polylactic acid or polylactide polymers (together referred to as “PLA”) comprise a lactic acid monomeric unit, which may be L-lactic acid, D-lactic acid, or a mixture of D,L-lactic acid. Examples of commercially available PLA polymers include polylactic acid sold by Natureworks® (Cargill, Minn.), Lacea® sold by Mitsui Chemical (Tokyo, Japan), and Resomer sold by Boehringer Ingelheim (Ingelheim Am Rhein, Germany). In a preferred embodiment, the PLA is in a semi-crystalline form with at least 80 mole percent of the repeating unit being either L-lactide or D-lactide, and even more preferably 95 mole percent. If desired more than one PLA composition may be used. For example, two PLA polymers with different molecular weights or melting temperature may be used. PLA copolymers may also comprise monomeric units other than lactic acid. A preferred PLA copolymer comprises glycolic acid, and is available commercially, for example, under the Vicryl® trade name.

B. Polymers Comprising 4-Hydroxybutyrate

Tepha, Inc. of Cambridge, Mass. produces poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) and copolymers thereof using transgenic fermentation methods. Poly-4-hydroxybutyrate is a strong, pliable thermoplastic polyester that is produced by a fermentation process, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,548,569 to Williams et al,. Despite its biosynthetic route, the structure of the polyester is relatively simple (FIG. 1). The polymer belongs to a larger class of materials called polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) that are produced by numerous microorganisms (see: Steinbüchel A., et al. Diversity of Bacterial Polyhydroxyalkanoic Acids FEMS Microbial. Lett. 128:219-228 (1995)). In nature these polyesters are produced as storage granules inside cells, and server to regulate energy metabolism. They are also of commercial interest because of their thermoplastic properties, and relative case of production. Several biosynthetic routes are currently known to product P4HB, as shown in FIG. 2. Chemical synthesis of P4HB has been attempted, but it has been impossible to produce the polymer with a sufficiently high molecular weight necessary for most applications (Hori, Y., et al., Polymer 36:4703-4705 (1995)).

Copolymers of P4HB include 4-hydroxybutyrate copolymerized with 3-hydroxybutyrate or glycolic acid (U.S. Patent Publication No. 20030211131 by Martin & Skraly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,316,262 to Huisman et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,010 to Skraly et al.). Methods to control molecular weight of PHA polymers are disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,811,272 to Snell et al.

PHAs with degradation rates in vivo of less than one year are disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,548,569 to Williams et al. and WO 99/32536 by Martin et al. Applications of P4HB have been reviewed in Williams, S. F., et al., Polyesters, III, 4:91-127 (2002), and by Martin, D. et al. Medical Applications of Poly-4-hydroxybutyrate: A Strong Flexible Absorbable Biomaterial, Biochem. Eng. J. 16:97-105 (2003). Medical devices and applications of P4HB have also been disclosed by WO 00/56376 by Williams et al.

C. Other Components

The toughened PLA compositions may comprise other materials in addition to the polymers described above, including plasticizers, nucleants, and compatibilizers. Non-limiting examples of plasticizers are disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,987 to Noda et al. In addition, other components may be added to impart benefits such as, but not limited to, the following: stability including oxidative stability, brightness, color, flexibility, resiliency, workability, processibility (by addition of processing aids), viscosity modifiers, and odor control. Therapeutically, prophylactically or diagnostic agents may be added. Active components, such as drugs, and other biologically active substances may be incorporated, for example, for controlled release of the drugs or other substances. It may also be advantageous to incorporate contrast agents, radiopaque markers, or radioactive substances. For certain applications it may also be desirable to incorporate fillers, including materials such as titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, hydroxyapatite, and tricalcium phosphate.

II. Methods of Making Toughened Compositions of PLA and PLA Copolymers

In a preferred method, a toughened composition of a PLA polymer or PLA copolymer is prepared as follows. A PLA polymer or PLA copolymer is selected and compounded in a predetermined ratio with a P4HB polymer or copolymer using a twin screw extruder. If desired, other additives, such as plasticizers, nucleants, and compatibilizers may be added. Typically, the PLA polymer or copolymer will be present from 1% to 99%, by weight. The exact ratio of PLA to P4HB will be determined by the desired toughness and stiffness of the composition. Increasing the quantity of P4HB in the blend will generally decrease the tensile modulus (stiffness) and increase the elongation to break of the composition (and also any shaped object derived from the composition). The extrudate is cooled, and then cut into granules in a pelletizer. The granules obtained may then be subsequently processed by melt or solvent processing techniques.

PLA compositions toughened with P4HB polymers or copolymers are characterized by increased elongation to break, and decreased stiffness.

III. Fabrication with Toughened PLA Compositions

The compositions possess properties that are desirable in both processing and the final product. For example, the properties would be desirable in processing by extrusion, injection/compression/blow molding, coating, spinning, blowing, thermoforming, laser cutting, thermal welding and calendaring processes. A person skilled in the art would recognize that the compositions are useful in any application where increased toughness, elongation and/or decreased stiffness is desired. The compositions may also provide other desired properties such as increased melt strength, impact and aging characteristics, and be useful in any application where these properties are desired.

The compositions may be used in commodity, industrial and medical applications. In the latter case, the compositions may be used to make partially or fully absorbable biocompatible medical devices. Such devices include sutures, suture fasteners, meniscus repair devices, rivets, tacks, staples, screws, bone plates and bone plating systems, biocompatible coatings, rotator cuff repair devices, surgical mesh, medical textiles and drapes, repair patches, slings, cardiovascular patches, tissue engineering scaffolds, vacular grafts, vascular closure devices, catheter balloons, anti-adhesion devices, drug delivery devices, embolization particles, orthopedic pines, adhesion barriers, stents (including coronary stents, peripheral stents, carotid stents, biliary stents, gastroenterology stents, urology stents, and neurology stents), embolization coils, guided tissue repair/regeneration devices, articular cartilage repair devices, nerve guides, tendon repair devices, intracardiac septal defect repair devices (including, but not limited to, atrail septal defect repair devices and PFO closure devices, and left atrial appendate (LAA) closure devices), pericardial patches, bulking and filling agents, vein valves, bone marrow scaffolds, meniscus regeneration devices, ligament and tendon grafts, ocular cell implants, spinal fusion cages, imaging devices, skin substitutes, dural substitutes, bone graft substitutes, bone dowels, wound dressings, and hemostats.

The devices can also be a shaped object used as or in packaging, personal hygiene products, bags, utensils, disposable and/or compostable articles, garments, surgical drapes, and gloves. The shaped objects can be a disposable article, compostable article, packaging, personal hygiene product, textile, fiber, film, molded object, bag, utensil, garment, surgical drape, or glove.

The present invention will be further understood by reference to the following non-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Preparation of a Blend of PLA Polymer and P4HB Polymer

PLLA polymer (Resomer L 214 lot #1012474, Boehringer Ingelheim, Germany) with a viscosity of 5.9 dl/g (IV) was compounded with P4HB (poly-4-hydroxybutyrate, Mw 178,000, 2.3 dl/g (IV) (Tepha, Inc., Cambridge, Mass.) using a Leistritz 18 mm twin screw extruder (24:1 L/D). Compounding was undertaken at a temperature of 110° C. at the feed, and 230° C. at the die. The polymers were mixed i the molten state, extruded into large diameter filament, quenched into a water bath set at 5-20° C., and cut into 2-5 mm length pellets. The PLLA and P4HB were compounded in the following three different ratios by weight: PLLA (90%):P4HB (10%); PLLA (77.5%):P4HB (22.5%); and PLLA (10%):P4HB (90%).

Example 2 Preparation of a Blend of PLA Polymer and P4HB Polymer

PLLA polymer (Resomer L 214 lot #1002260, Boehringer Ingelheim, Germany) with a high intrinsic viscosity of 7.0 dl/g (IV) was dry mixed with P4HB (poly-4-hydroxybutyrate, Mw 170,000, 2.1 dl/g (IV) Tepha, Inc., Cambridge, Mass.) by tumble mixing at room temperature. The PLLA and P4HB were compounded in the following three different ratios by weight: PLLA (90%):P4HB (10%); PLLA (77.5%):P4HB (22.5%); and PLLA (10%):P4HB (90%).

Example 3 Fiber Extrusion of PLA/P4HB Blends

The blends prepared in Example 1 were extruded into monofilament fiber using the following method. The blends were dried under vacuum overnight to less than 0.01% (w/w) water. Dried pellets of the blended polymers were fed into an extruder barrel of an AJA (Alex James Associates, Greer, S.C.) ¾″ single screw extruder (24:1 L:D, 3:1 compression) equipped with a Zenith type metering pump (0.16 cc/rev) and a die with a single hole spinneret (0.026″, 2:1 L:D) under a blanket of nitrogen. The 4 heating zones of the extruder were set at 140°, 190°, 200° and 205° C. The block, metering pump and the die were maintained at a constant temperature, preferably 180-250° C. Pump discharge pressure was kept below 1500 psi by controlling the temperatures and the speed of the metering pump. The fiber spinning system was set up with a drop zone, air quench zone, a guide roll, three winders and a pickup. The fiber was oriented in-line with extrusion by drawing it in a multi-stage process to provide improved physical properties with stretch ratios of 1 to 11X. The resulting spun extrudate filament was free from all melt irregularities. To provide optimal physical properties to fiber, the extrudate filament was then drawn through multistage orientation in a heated tube or heated oven or hot water, which was maintained at a temperature above the softening temperature of the extrudate filament and then quenched in a cold water bath without the filament touching any surface until it is sufficiently cooled.

Oriented monofilament fiber produced according to the procedure of Example 3 was tested on a MTS Mechanical Analyzer. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Properties of PLLA:P4HB Blends at different ratios versus PLLA Break Break Elongation Young's Knot Diameter Load Stress at Break Modulus Load Sample (% by weight) (mm) (kgf) (kgf/mm²) (%) (kgf/mm²) (kgf) P4HB(90%):PLLA(10%) 0.309 5.05 67.4 24.3 170.9 3.01 P4HB(22.5%):PLLA 0.312 2.92 36.9 17.0 270.4 2.07 (77.5%) P4HB(10%):PLLA(90%) 0.382 4.02 35.2 16.7 302.1 2.89 Reference:PLLA(100%) 0.106 0.6 66.0 3.0 700.0 Nd

It is evident from Table 1 that blending P4HB and PLLA increases the toughness of the PLLA (elongation of break increases), and decreases Young's modulus. The extent of these changes increases with increasing weight percentage of P4HB in the blend.

Note: The fibers in Table 1 have been oriented to increase the tensile strength of the fiber. Much of the elongation to break is reduced during the orientation process. (Higher elongation to break (>200%) for partially oriented tubes is disclosed in Example 4.)

Example 4 Tube Extrusion of PLA/P4HB Blends

The blends prepared in Example 1 and Example 2 were dried as described in Example 3 and extruded into tubes with internal diameters (ID) of 1-1.4 mm, and outer diameters (OD) of 1.3-1.7 mm using the following equipment, 1.25″ 3 heat zone, 24:1 L/D, 3:1 compression horizontal extruder connected to conventional tubing die with an air inlet port to control the ID of tubes. A water trough for tube quenching, dual-plane laser gauge to measure OD in two planes and a puller were also used. Extruder temperatures were controlled at 120° C. for the first zone, 240° C. for the second zone, 265° C. for the third zone and 248° C. for the die. Screw speed was controlled between 10-40 rpm and the die pressure was maintained at 1500 psi. During the extrusion the quench trough was maintained at 10° C. and process air at 10-30 inch H₂O pressure was used to obtain the intended tubing ID.

The extruded tubes were tested on a MTS Mechanical Analyzer, the Mw's of the tubes were analyzed by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) and the results are shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Properties of tubing melt extruded from P4HB:PLLA blends (22.5:77.5% by weight). Tensile Mixing Mw by GPC OD ID Elongation Strength Method g/mol (mm) (mm) To Break (%) (MPa) Twin 285,000 1.547 ± 0.042 1.097 281 ± 69 33.5 Screw Dry 344,000 1.613 ± 0.029 1.363 206 ± 92 47.0 Blend 

1. A polymer composition comprising polylactic acid polymer or copolymer and a polymer or copolymer comprising 4-hydroxybutyrate, wherein the elongation to break of the composition is greater than 3%.
 2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the modulus of the composition is less than 700 kgf/mm².
 3. The composition of claim 1 comprising a poly-4-hydroxybutyrate homopolymer.
 4. The composition of claim 1 comprising poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate.
 5. The composition of claim 1 comprising a polyhydroxy acid selected from the group consisting of poly-L-lactic acid, poly-D-lactic acid, and poly-D,L-lactic acid.
 6. The composition of claim 5 wherein the composition comprises polylactic-co-glycolic acid.
 7. The composition of claim 1 further comprising one or more additives selected from the group consisting of plasticizers, nucleants, compatibilizers, therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agents, radiolabelled substances, imaging agents, radiopaque markers, contrast agents, anti-oxidants, dyes, viscosity modifiers, and odor control agents.
 8. A method of producing a shaped object comprising melting a polymer composition comprising polylactic acid polymer or copolymer and a polymer or copolymer comprising 4-hydroxybutyrate, wherein the elongation to break of the composition is greater than 3%, and producing a shaped object therefrom by extrusion, molding, coating, spinning, blowing, thermoforming or calendaring processes, or combinations of these processes.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the shaped object is a medical device selected from the group consisting of sutures, suture fasteners, meniscus repair devices, rivets, tacks, staples, screws, bone plates and bone plating systems, biocompatible coatings, rotator cuff repair devices, surgical mesh, medical textiles or drapes, repair patches, slings, cardiovascular patches, tissue engineering scaffolds, vascular grafts, vascular closure devices, catheter balloons, anti-adhesion devices, drug delivery devices, embolization particles, orthopedic pins, adhesion barriers, stents, embolization coils, guided tissue repair/regeneration devices, articular cartilage repair devices, nerve guides, tendon repair devices, intracardiac septal defect repair devices, pericardial patches, bulking and filling agents, vein valves, bone marrow scaffolds, meniscus regeneration devices, ligament and tendon grafts, ocular cell implants, spinal fusion cages, imaging devices, skin substitutes, dural substitutes, bone graft substitutes, bone dowels, wound dressings, and hemostats.
 10. The method of claim 8 wherein the shaped object can be used as or in packaging, personal hygiene products, bags, utensils, disposable or compostable articles, garments, surgical drapes, and gloves.
 11. A medical device comprising a polymer composition comprising polylactic acid polymer and copolymer and a polymer or copolymer comprising 4-hydroxybutyrate, wherein the elongation to break of the composition is greater than 3%.
 12. The medical device of claim 11 wherein the device is a suture, suture fastener, meniscus repair device, rivet, tack, staple, screw, bone plate, bone plating system, biocompatible coating, rotator cuff repair device, surgical mesh, medical textile, repair patch, sling, cardiovascular patche, tissue engineering scaffold, vascular graft, vascular closure device, catheter balloon, anti-adhesion device, drug delivery device, embolization particle, orthopedic pin, adhesion barrier, stent (including coronary stents, peripheral stents, carotid stents, biliary stents, gastroenterology stents, urology stents, and neurology stents), embolization coil, guided tissue repair/regeneration device, articular cartilage repair device, nerve guide, tendon repair device, intracardiac septal defect repair device (including, but not limited to, atrial septal defect repair devices and PFO closure devices, and left atrail appendage (LAA) closure devices), pericardial patch, bulking and filling agent, vein valves, bone marrow scaffold, meniscus regeneration device, ligament graft, tendon graft, ocular cell implant, spinal fusion cage, imaging device, skin substitute, dural substitute, bone graft substitute, bone dowel, would dressing, or a hemostat.
 13. A shaped object comprising a polymer composition comprising polylactic acid polymer or copolymer and a polymer or copolymer comprising 4-hydroxybutyrate, wherein the elongation to break of the composition is greater than 3%.
 14. The shaped object of claim 13 where the object is a disposable article, compostable article, packaging, personal hygiene product, textile, fiber, film, molded object, bag, utensil, garment, surgical drape, or glove. 